MLive.com Game of the Week football poll to return with added features for Muskegon-area teams

It was hats off to Muskegon Catholic Central as the Division 8 state champion in 2013. The 2014 football season kicks off with the first official day of practice on Monday, Aug. 11, in addition to the debut of the popular MLive.com Game of the Week poll. MLive.com file photo

That's a good way to describe the play of high school football teams in the Muskegon area.

Upcoming coverage from MLive Muskegon Chronicle staff is in place to keep pace.

As schools mark the first day of practice on Monday, Aug. 11, we’ll be right alongside the path of area teams every step of the way, from preseason drills, the regular season and playoffs right on through to the state finals on Nov. 28-29 at Ford Field in Detroit.

It kicks off this week with an added feature we’re calling “Two-A-Days.” Chronicle staff are making plans to visit all 26 area football teams. We will file online reports of two teams per day, starting Monday, Aug. 11 and continuing through Saturday, Aug. 23, with news, notes, photos and video from preseason drills.

That will be in addition to our annual football preview section scheduled for publication on Sunday, Aug. 24, that provides team capsules, league outlooks and schedules. It will also highlight the MLive.com Michigan Football Player of the Year preseason candidates.

Included in the mix will be the return of our popular Game of the Week football poll. Voting will be open to area fans starting Monday, Aug. 11, for the Week 1 openers.

The poll winner, decided by the fan vote, will receive bonus preview and game coverage each week, including a live chat. Fans can cast votes once an hour through Tuesday, Aug. 26, for the Week 1 poll.

And don’t forget to look for Mark Opfermann’s predictions on area games. New this year, readers will be able to test their skills with an online contest each week.